WINS with Multiple Subnets Problem

[Adam Brass]

Scenario:

Active Directory Domain

Subnet1 - 4 computers
Subnet2 - 30 comps & WINS Server
Subnet3 - 30 comps & WINS Server

Not including any other servers in the scenario as I
dont think it would matter.

All Windows XP clients (though I had the same problem
when they were all Win2K as well)

Subnet1 clients point to Subnet2 WINS server
Subnet2 clients point to Subnet2 WINS server
Subnet3 clients point to Subnet3 WINS server

WINS servers on Subnet2 & 3 are configured for push/pull
replication with the default settings

Records for all computers from all subnets are present
in both WINS servers.. everything looks good.

However,

Subnet1 when browsing the domain through network places
can only see computers from Subnet1 & Subnet2

Subnet2 when browsing the domain through network places
can only see computers from Subnet2

Subnet3 when browsing the domain through network places
can only see computers from Subnet3 & Subnet2

How can I make it so that all computer scan see all
computers from all subnets???

 

[Scott Harding - MS MVP]

You need a WINS server for every subnet.

 

[Phillip Windell]

You need a WINS server for every subnet.

I have 6 subnets and only one of the subnets has WINS. I do run two
identically configured WINSs for rudundancy, but they are both in the one
subnet together. Everything works fine. WINS can be located anywhere in the
network as long as the clients have the IP# to know where to find it.

This sounds like a Domain Master Browser issue where the Domain Master
Browser is not getting the Data from the Master Browsers from each subnet to
build the browse list properly. I am not sure what to do about it
unfortuneately,..but that is what I believe is happening.

Adam,
You may want to include both WINS Servers in the network settings of the
clients (not just one WINS Server). Put the one you prefer they use first at
the top of the list, but still include all in the list. However, in the
end, I am not totally convinced that this is simply a WINS issue to start
with. Net'Hood (Network Places) is *not* populated by WINS,..it is populated
via a "browse list" from the Master Browser. If it isn't populated
correctly, then it isn't receiving from the browse list, or the browse list
isn't getting created properly in the first place. Now WINS does play a
role in the process, but it is not the only "player".

 

[Phillip Windell]

Maybe something in this article may help flush out the problem.

188305 - Troubleshooting the Microsoft Computer Browser Service
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;188305